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Our point of view is that brands can achieve this with stories and brand expressions that add value and make meaningful connections. Putting out good creative concepts and authentic execution has never been more important. In other words: design matters more than ever. But how do you recognise ‘good’ or ‘great’ design that stands the test of time and moves people?
Good design moves people
‘Good’ is a relative understanding. It is subject to cultural behaviour, personal experiences and trends. But we all want what’s good in our opinion. And for most of us, this is no different in creative (digital) work as we are always striving to get the best results, develop a defying concept and create that next jaw-dropping design. As a result, we naturally prefer to work with clients who strive for that same level of greatness. But how do we define what is ‘good’, let alone great, moving, inspiring or lasting? Well, we do this by rationalising our design intentions.
“How do we define what is good design? What characteristics can we identify and how do we put them into practice?”
Use a creative framework
By setting up a creative framework, we define the keys to produce inspiring, resonant work and — most importantly — add real value to a brand's audience. It is therefore more than just an aspirational goal. A creative framework is like a compass. It will guide work, giving it an authentic and distinctive signature, and help steer creatives towards the right quality level and, hopefully, some unexpected outcomes.
At iO, we believe that creativity affects and inspires audiences. It influences their emotions and actions. For Verno, iO instilled the passion for artisan framing with ‘Framed with love’, allowing the brand to express its passion and craftsmanship as well as converting people into loyal customers. Another example: with Largo’s website, we crafted an innovative approach to the travel industry by focusing on a luxurious personal experience through storytelling, brand expression, and conversion.
5 creative principles that lead to great work
1. Audience — Create for context
A creative idea or a design style is more significant and more powerful if it has an emotional connection or a certain relevance to what is happening in people’s lives. The things we make and design shape the look and feel of every single customer’s journey. So it’s a designer’s duty to make sure that the world they create is aligned with the expectations, preferences, and lives of its users.
2. Commitment — Drive value
The best part about being in a strategic and creative position is that you are in the confluence of art and commerce. In a business challenge, you must find a balance between creativity and business acumen. The work is based on insights, needs and questions that are specific to the end-user and the business objectives of our clients.
3. Execution — Guard authenticity and artistry
In these times of information overload, it is important to be distinctive and emphasise the recognisability of a brand experience. Integrating artistry into our work is necessary to guarantee an authentic experience of our products. It is our weapon against sameness and the marginalisation of design.
4. Motivation — Try to break some rules
Your work stands a better chance of getting noticed if you are able to break with conventions. Not with contempt, but by thoughtfully and critically reassessing conventions of the industries we work in. When we manage to break a rule, we can force a brand's notability.
5. Ethics — Don’t do it by yourself
Creativity often happens in teams, as everyone in their own right is creative. People — be it designers, strategists, copywriters or janitors — inspire each other and come up with different insights and perspectives. They keep each other accountable and support each other. This ultimately results in ideas that no one could have created on their own.
Does your brand deserve the stage?
Has your brand a lot to offer and is it time the world notices it? At iO, we’re here to supply you with research, brand strategies, experience building and relationship engagement. Our experts will shine a light on your brand and yours truly.
A compass for great design
While the creative principles above don’t always have to be apparent to create the best work, good digital design cannot exist without incorporating them to some extent. Once you have defined your philosophy, you can start using it as a compass for good design. It can even guide you in finding the star players that will help you execute on it. In any case, a creative framework will help guide you to your next level of beautiful and relevant creative work.
Having a creative framework may help steer your work, services, products and business towards greater heights. But applying it, motivating and inspiring the people who execute on it should not be overlooked. Creating an environment of excellence and the right creative mentality is essential to produce that next amazing piece of work.
Sander La Rivière
Art Director - iOCalling himself a maker most of all, Sander loves life on the front lines of any project. Whatever you build, it has to invoke genuine feelings and entice the senses - next to kicking ass, on-brand. Wisdom the iO floor often gets from Sander, usually right after solving another client puzzle.
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Effective communication between government and citizens is crucial in these rapidly-changing times. This whitepaper reveals five essential insights from some leading public communication professionals. Get inspired by these top leaders in the field and learn how to use branding techniques to powerfully communicate your story as a public organisation. After reading this whitepaper, you will knowRead moreWhite paper
The 2025 iO content calendar
“Create ridiculously good content”, an undeniably strong mantra for everyone in the business of content creation. After all, content is a unique way to share relevant and interesting stories with others and therefore forms a bridge between the company and the audience.Read moreBlog
Strengthening your B2B brand
In the past, B2B was regarded as the smaller, less interesting brother of B2C. Now we know better. Today we'll show you how you can make a difference as a contemporary B2B brand and get the edge on your competitors.Read moreBlog
How design systems make app development cheaper, faster and better
iO specialises in creating apps and front-end solutions for clients in the financial sector. To do this at scale, it was necessary to create spaces to improve the collaboration between designers and developers: we call them design systems. In this article, we will explain the advantages and benefits of using design systems.Read moreBlog
Public brands must invest in a buffer for their reputation
In episode 1 of the Public Brands series: Tom van Laarhoven (UWV) and Anke Heun (Belastingdienst) on brand thinking in the public sector.Read moreBlog
We don’t campaign with advertising, but with content
The Police and the CBS (Central Statistical Office). Two household names in the Netherlands. They’re established brands. How do you manage them? Mirjam Otten and Mike Ackermans on brand thinking in the public sector.Read moreBlog
Ter Apel is not a brand asset
The IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Two public organisations that are also brands. One is known to the general public, the other to a specific group. How do you manage them from a brand and communication perspective?Read moreBlog
Your organisation’s reputation is determined by your behaviour
In episode 4 of the Public Brands series: Jantien Eising from RDW (National Road Administration) and Maureen Wiersma from the CJIB (Central Judicial Collection Agency) on brand- and reputation thinking in the public sector.Read moreBlog
Reputation is not just the responsibility of the communications department
In episode 5 of the Public Brands series: Iris Reshef from the NS (Dutch railways) and Suzanne Bijkersma from the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) discuss brand and reputation thinking in the public sector.Read moreBlog
Anchor your brand in your target group's culture with social media
The added value of social media is sometimes difficult for marketers to determine, apart from the results it has to offer the sales team. As a result, some tend to consider a 'must do', while it actually offers a wonderful way to gain a place in people's lives. The key is to identify your brand with the culture of your target audience, and for that, social works best. However, this requires a certain amount of courage from your brand.Read moreBlog
5 reasons your branded podcast won’t succeed
Two microphones, a recording device, a little jingle to top it off. Your branded podcast is ready to go viral, right? Not quite. Let’s discuss several pitfalls that come with creating a branded podcast, along with tips on how to avoid them.Read moreBlog
Get the latest updates from iO through our WhatsApp Channel
Yay! There's a new way to get bite-sized content and insights from iO. In the fall of 2023, Meta launched WhatsApp Channels in more than 150 countries - including ours.Read moreBlog
2024: the next step for analytics and tracking in a 'privacy first' world
You may not have noticed, but a lot has changed in terms of analytics and tracking over the past five years. This is partly because we've already grown accustomed to many changes, and partly because their impact has come very gradually. Half a decade ago, no one knew of the existence of a cookie banner, a year later everyone thought they could never get used to it, and today we don't know any better. We've made serious strides in terms of data regulation, and perhaps the biggest steps are yet to come in 2024.Read moreBlog
2023: a year in an era of change
Does the name Leonhard Huizinga still ring a bell for anyone? Once a popular Dutch writer, now forgotten. He made his debut in 1936 with the book 'De Gestroomlijnde Wereld'. Already a wanderer at a young age, Huizinga's book opened an unknown world to many readers. An exotic world, which seemed to be getting smaller and smaller, because it was more accessible by car, train, boat, and airplane. Faster, more comfortable and with more and more streamlining — quite literally. Curious, boundless, full of wonder. Not realising, as early as 1936, that over that same world lay the shadows of tomorrow.Read moreBlog
15 Reading, listening, and viewing tips for the holiday season (and Beyond)
The end of December is list time. My colleagues at iO invited me to fill the last square of 24till24 with an inspiring list. December 24 is the last day of work before the Christmas holidays for many. That magical time of the year when the professional merry-go-round comes to a complete standstill. It isn’t just the time for family celebrations, it’s also the perfect moment to curl up on the sofa with a good book, a podcast, or a film. So, get into my personal list of the very best viewing, reading, and listening tips. Slide into the holiday season and keep the boredom at bay. Enjoy!Read moreBlog
How Camp Amersfoort National Monument attracted 30% more visitors with a podcast campaign
With the podcast campaign The Missing SS Commander, iO and National Monument Camp Amersfoort succeeded in creating the branded podcast of 2023. Staggering download figures, rave reviews from listeners, an important contribution to Dutch war history and a 30% increase in visitors. Here are the important lessons we learned making the most celebrated Dutch branded podcast of 2023 in a long read.Read moreBlog
Our customers don't have a choice, so we take that obligation seriously
In episode 6 of the Public Brands series: Inge Rohde from CBR and Leonie van der Mark from AVROTROS talk about brand and reputation thinking in the public sector. Read the interview here or listen to the podcast.Read moreBlog
3 trends in content marketing for 2024
Users are becoming increasingly mobile: they're freely moving from channel to channel, looking for the content they want to consume. So keeping an eye on trends and taking full advantage of them is more important than ever. After all, trends offer a perfect opportunity to be creative. But what can we expect in 2024? In this blog, you'll discover three trends you can address to increase your impact with your target groups.Read moreBlog
The six digital and marketing trends for 2024
The rise of AI, shifts in the social media landscape, and the end of third-party data...2023 was, to say the least, a tumultuous year. But this year, marketers and their organizations are also facing significant challenges. Discover the six digital and marketing trends that will dominate 2024 and, most importantly, how you can successfully tackle them.Read moreBlog
Content marketing has become communication (and that’s bad news)
Does content marketing still serve a purpose in 2024? Patrick Severein (Head of Content and Strategist) raises some questions.Read moreBlog
Here’s how to write better with AI
As a writer, should you embrace or fear generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini? The former for sure, the latter perhaps too. In any case, they make you an offer you can't refuse. So, hoist these rambunctious AI sailors on board and put them to work, but above all remain the captain of your ship.Read moreBlog
Discover conversational AI search
Conversational search in the form of an AI chatbot lets your website visitors interact with your content, resulting in a better customer experience.Read moreBlog
Microcopy: small statements, huge impact
Did you know that the copy on a single button in your online shop can determine your conversion rate, even if it only contains one word? Few people think about this kind of microcopy, even though it can hugely impact the performance of your online platform or app. In this first blog post of our microcopy series, you will learn what microcopy is and why it matters.Read moreBlog
Give your brand an identity with your tone of voice
Your brand’s story may be great, but if you tell it in a way that puts everyone to sleep, you won’t leave a lasting impression. That’s why your brand needs an appealing and fitting tone of voice. In this blog post, you’ll learn why a tone of voice is important and how to outline one for your brand.Read moreBlog
Putting your brand on the map with an effective content strategy
There is a lot to consider when creating a content strategy. From determining your goals, and researching your target groups, to spotting content opportunities and measuring your results. How do you get started? And what should you consider? You'll find out in this blog.Read moreBlog
Message house: the foundation of a strong and consistent content strategy
Today, personalisation and omnichannel marketing are essential. Businesses need a presence on multiple channels so that they can tailor their messages to each of their target groups in a hyper-personalised way. But how do you communicate your brand message consistently and clearly in this fragmented environment? The answer is simple: with a Message House. In this blog post, we explain why this model is essential, how to apply it, and the skills you need to get the most out of it.Read moreBlog
5 guidelines for good microcopy
I already demonstrated in my first blog post of this series on microcopy how the smallest words on your website or app can have a huge impact. In this second part, I want to show you some best practices for writing strong microcopy. Because even though these pieces of text may be unassuming, it can be challenging to write them.Read moreBlog
Click here; or what not to choose for your call to action
A call to action is the determining step between a visitor and a conversion. Still, many companies hardly think about these pieces of text, which is a shame. Because a call to action with the right microcopy can increase your revenue and get you new leads. How? I’ll explain in this blog post.Read moreBlog
Confirmshaming: the dark side of copywriting
Everyone wants their website or app to bring in conversions. But how far will you go to get your user to act? What kind of copywriting techniques should you use, and which should you abandon? In this blog post, we’ll look at one of the most popular dark patterns in copywriting: confirmshaming.Read moreBlog
The professional communication dilemma: To email or not during the festive season.
Email campaigns during December are always a challenge. The volume of email increases steadily every month of the year and reaches a peak during the festive season. For example, MailChimp, the leading email service (according to their 2023 annual report) sends no less than 21.3 billion emails in December. Do you want to know how to make sure your festive emails reach your target audiences?Read moreDossier
Dossier: Personalisation
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Dossier: Brands & society
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Dossier: SEO strategy
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Dossier: Challenger Stories
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Dossier: Public Brands
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Dossier: B2B - Turning B2B challenges into solutions
Read moreDossier
Dossier: Ready to pop on social media?
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Dossier: Holiday marketing: how to score as a brand with Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas
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Dossier: Discover the power of branded podcasts
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Dossier: E-inclusion & accessibility
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Dossier: The Opportunity Report
Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Steven De Deyne (Proximus)
"With digital transformation, you can deliver added value to your customers," says Steven De Deyne, Head of Media and Production Competence Center Proximus), it in this video.Read moreVideo
Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs website, more accessible than ever before
How do we make our content accessible, so that every Belgian can find the information they need quickly and easily? The question came from the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs and the answer? That came from iO. The result: a website that focuses on accessibility and presents the most important information in a crystal clear way.Read moreVideo
Challenger Stories: BenBits wants to change the entire chewing gum market
BenBits is ambitious, and that's not a secret. The brand stands for plant-based chewing gum without plastic — the first in the Netherlands. But the ambitions don't stop there.Read moreVideo
Challenger Stories: Tiny Library makes the baby market sustainable
Circular economy: it's not just a matter of using shared cars and collecting batteries. There is room for sustainable initiatives in the baby market too, and Tiny Library is here to prove it. The team works every day on the mission to make the baby market more sustainable — that's better for the world and for parents' wallets.Read moreVideo
Are you fed up with boring marketing too?
Our attention spans are shorter, we skip commercials, and we click from video to video all the time. When consumers are bombarded with an avalanche of content every day, how can your brand stand out? Ruth Nys explains how to do creative content marketing without falling into the same old boring marketing tactics trap. Expert:Ruth Nys, Strategy Director ContentRead moreVideo
Challenger Stories: We Are Eves helps put an end to fake beauty reviews
On average, people buy five products before they find the right beauty product for them. That's a problem. A problem that We Are Eves wants to eliminate from the world. It's a cosmetics platform with hundreds of thousands of honest product reviews, written by real people. In this video, Esther Leloux, Founder & CEO, tells you all about the platform.Read moreVideo
Challenger Stories: plant-based pioneer The Dutch Weed Burger
It's time to harness the primal power of Mother Ocean to end animal suffering and offer delicious food that regenerates itself — at least, if it's up to The Dutch Weed Burger. They stand for delicious, plant-based burgers made from seaweed, and in this video, Mark Kulsdom, Co-Founder & Managing Director, tells you all about it.Read moreVideo
Steven Van Belleghem: The cost of poor 'Customer Experience' is frequently underestimated.
Companies are unaware of the enormous the cost of bad customer experiences. Out-of-pocket costs such as customer service are being pushed up, at a time when it’s becoming more difficult and expensive to find new customers.And this is happening while the brand credibility is declining and there is erosion in terms of new business development. In the video below, Steven Van Belleghem calls for more investment in customer focus, as a driver for a successful 2025.Read moreVideo
Do you take social media seriously?
Social media as a marketing tool is often overlooked, despite their potential, they are frequently underutilised. Nevertheless, a strong social strategy and a brand-oriented focus are the keys to success on social media platforms.Read moreVideo
AI - The future is not what it used to be
Do you remember when ... the invention of the computer caused a seismic shift in the job market? People unwilling to work with computers were quickly replaced by people who were; and today everyone carries a laptop. Today the same thing is happening with AI. In this webinar, Rodger Werkhoven will share his passion for Artificial Intelligence and introduce you to OpenAI as a love brand.Read moreVideo
The Canon of Flanders: from Van Eyck’s brothers' Ghent Altarpiece to Rock Werchter.
From Van Eyck’s brothers' Ghent Altarpiece to Rock Werchter: the Canon of Flanders is finally here. The much-discussed list resulted in a bulky book of more than 300 pages and includes an overview of the Flemish language, culture, and history from the end of the last ice age to today. But there is also an online version: www.canonvanvlaanderen.be . iO developed this on behalf of the Commission Canon of Flanders, which received a mandate from the Flemish Government, Department of Education & Training.Read moreVideo
Primagaz & iO: a shared journey of growth and success
Discover the fruitful collaboration between Primagaz and iO in this 'Walk and Talk' video. In this video, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative dynamics between Primagaz and iO. We discuss how we dealt with challenges, how we exploited opportunities and what strategies we developed. We'll take you through our shared journey of growth and success, where trust and a commitment to excellence are central. This Walk and Talk is more than just a conversation - it is a celebration of a collaboration that has stood the test of time. It is a story of mutual growth, of learning and evolving, and of creating value for both organizations.Read moreVideo
Building brands; yes you can!
Social media extends way beyond performance and direct conversion. It's about building brands, building relationships with the target group and strategically distributing content on relevant platforms. Success requires belief in the power of social media and investment in knowledge building and daring to experiment.Read moreVideo
Who decides if your content has value?
It is sometimes difficult to estimate which content is valuable and which is not because of the influence of subjectivity and different opinions in your marketing team. Fortunately, that responsibility lies entirely with the consumer. All you have to do is create a lot of content that is in line with your organisation’s values.Read moreVideo
Who sees which content? The algorithm decides.
Less is more? Not when it comes to social media content. You need a lot of contact moments to get on the radar and stay there. Then the algorithm decides who sees which content.Read moreVideo
Banish content burnout
Sometimes content marketers suffer from a content burnout: they don't know what to post or how to come up with creative content. The drip model offers a solution: take a look at the 'low-hanging fruit' within your organisation, sector and above all: your target group environment. With social posts that you write from the perspective of your target group, you always deliver engaging content.Read moreVideo
Is Facebook passé? No way!
Many young people are on Snapchat and TikTok today. In spite of that, Facebook, with 70% active users, remains the largest social network in Flanders. Do you want to reach your audience? Then consider using Reels. Facebook can also deliver strong results for B2B marketing, especially in combination with LinkedIn.Read moreVideo
Does your brand have to be on TikTok?
TikTok offers unprecedented potential for organic reach, but also brings challenges: privacy issues, diverse content and users; and a powerful algorithm. Post multiple times a day and focus on native content instead of your own campaign materials.Read moreVideo
Which formats work on social media?
Since TikTok boosted vertical videos, they have dominated all platforms. Using reels strengthens the bond with your video first users and gives you more organic reach and improves your marketing results.Read moreVideo
Conversation management: truth, courage and action
Conversation management is a shift from webcare to webdare. Where in the past, brands mainly responded to negative experiences and complaints on their own channels, now you join conversations with your consumers on your own and other channels. This increases your visibility and positions you in the market.Read moreVideo
Social media marketing: tried and tested by Dewaele
Content strategist Sam talks to Vanessa Loose, marketing manager at Dewaele. For Belgium's largest independent estate agent, social media are incredibly important. With a healthy mix of trends and evergreen topics, they always stay on the radar as a life partner in living and business through social media.Read moreVideo
Challenger Stories: How Wakuli is turning the coffee chain upside down
When Yorick Bruins lived in Tanzania, he saw a problem: there are too many unnecessary links in the coffee supply chain, preventing coffee farmers from getting a fair price for their beans. He founded Wakuli: an organisation that brings quality coffee from the farmer to the consumer — in the shortest possible chain.Read moreVideo
Challenger Stories: Wild 'n Zilt targets a shortened North Sea chain
Hendrik Kramer is an Amsterdam-based fisherman and entrepreneur who wants to show that sustainable fishing pays off in the Netherlands. He does this by selling his fish directly to consumers with Wild 'n Zilt.Read moreVideo
Challenger Stories: Willicroft makes ‘cheese’ from beans and pulses
Research shows that not many people have a positive perception of plant-based cheese. Brad Vanstone wants to change that with his brand Willicroft on Amsterdam's Spiegelgracht.Read moreVideo
Challenger Stories: BayaBaya guarantees sustainability without compromise
With BayaBaya, founders Dirk Taselaar and Leon Daggenvoorde aim to take the plastic bottle out of the bathroom. Founded in 2021, the brand sells powdered concentrate for body wash with natural, vegan ingredients. Combine that concentrate with tap water and pour it into the aluminium refill bottle, and you've done your part, too.Read moreVideo
Challenger Stories: Hands Off wants to make plant-based chocolate the norm
Hands Off was founded in 2013 to turn the chocolate industry upside down. For example, founder Kitty Smeeten achieved a 42% CO2 reduction by replacing cow's milk with hazelnut praline.Read moreVideo
Video: Leaving no one behind digitally (David De Block)
In his talk at the 2023 BAM Marketing Congress, David De Block (Public Services Director at iO) talks about e-inclusion — or what it means to leave no one behind digitally.Read moreCase
How does innovative technology simplify everyday navigation in real life?
Updating and implementing interactive navigation on HD touchscreens for visitors and shoppers at Wijnegem - Shop Eat Enjoy.Look at this client storyCase
How do you build a global B2B platform tailored to foodservice professionals?
How to build a multi-site, multi-language, global B2B platform for lead generation and online branding - iOLook at this client storyCase
How can you turn a government instance into one of the country’s star employers?
The experts at iO made UWV an attractive employer thanks to this multi-channel employer branding campaign.Look at this client storyCase
how do you enhance the impact of the newsletter for a telecom giant?
Optimizing Content and Presentation: How iO Transformed Proximus' Newsletter Engagement. Read the case here.Look at this client storyCase
How to manage a range of websites while meeting client expectations?
Enhancing Digital Content Management for D'Ieteren Automotive's Websites? Read the full story here;Look at this client storyCase
How do you craft a captivating podcast journey for young train travelers?
Embark on a thrilling train adventure across the Netherlands with ‘Het Spoor Bijster’, a fuction podcast by the NS and iO.Look at this client storyCase
How does a smart vehicle configurator help for higher order value?
iO developed a website and UX-driven configurator for and with Suzuki Belgium. Read all about it in this case.Look at this client storyCase
How to present a unified brand story for multiple companies within the same group?
How do you tell a clear online story that pulls traffic towards your website if you represent multiple businesses? Read the case and find out.Look at this client storyCase
How to deliver a consistent brand experience across 35 countries
How do you develop a digital and internationally deployable retailer concept that takes your customer experience to the next level?Look at this client storyCase
Realising growth through marketing
How iO convinces travelers to choose Brussels Airport for their next trip. Discover the marketing campaigns.Look at this client storyCase
How do you ensure a flawless guest experience at a renowned holiday park?
iO helped Landal Greenparks create a hospitality experience that seamlessly integrates top personal service with digital convenience. Discover the case.Look at this client storyCase
How do you double your mobile conversion within 4 years?
What it takes to make booking as easy as possible for you? Discover the power of a strong management vision, a streamlined work process, and long-term, open, and transparent collaboration between Landal GreenParks and iO.Look at this client story